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ZEAMER, JAY JR. (Air
Mission)
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place and date: Over
Buka area, Solomon Islands, 16 June 1943. Entered service at: Machias,
Maine. Birth: Carlisle, Pa. G.O. No.: 1, 4 January 1944.
Citation: On 16 June 1943, Maj. Zeamer (then Capt.)
volunteered as pilot of a bomber on an important photographic mapping
mission covering the formidably defended area in the vicinity of Buka,
Solomon Islands. While photographing the Buka airdrome. his crew observed
about 20 enemy fighters on the field, many of them taking off. Despite
the certainty of a dangerous attack by this strong force, Maj. Zeamer
proceeded with his mapping run, even after the enemy attack began. In
the ensuing engagement, Maj. Zeamer sustained gunshot wounds in both
arms and legs, 1 leg being broken. Despite his injuries, he maneuvered
the damaged plane so skillfully that his gunners were able to fight
off the enemy during a running fight which lasted 40 minutes. The crew
destroyed at least 5 hostile planes, of which Maj. Zeamer himself shot
down 1. Although weak from loss of blood, he refused medical aid until
the enemy had broken combat. He then turned over the controls, but continued
to exercise command despite lapses into unconsciousness, and directed
the flight to a base 580 miles away. In this voluntary action, Maj.
Zeamer, with superb skill, resolution, and courage, accomplished a mission
of great value.
ZUSSMAN, RAYMOND
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 756th Tank Battalion.
Place and date: Noroy le Bourg, France, 12 September 1944. Entered service
at: Detroit, Mich. Birth: Hamtramck, Mich. G.O. No.: 42, 24 May 1945.
Citation: On 12 September 1944, 2d Lt. Zussman
was in command of 2 tanks operating with an infantry company in the
attack on enemy forces occupying the town of Noroy le Bourg, France.
At 7 p.m., his command tank bogged down. Throughout the ensuing action,
armed only with a carbine, he reconnoitered alone on foot far in advance
of his remaining tank and the infantry. Returning only from time to
time to designate targets, he directed the action of the tank and turned
over to the infantry the numerous German soldiers he had caused to surrender.
He located a road block and directed his tanks to destroy it. Fully
exposed to fire from enemy positions only 50 yards distant, he stood
by his tank directing its fire. Three Germans were killed and 8 surrendered.
Again he walked before his tank, leading it against an enemy-held group
of houses, machinegun and small arms fire kicking up dust at his feet.
The tank fire broke the resistance and 20 enemy surrendered. Going forward
again alone he passed an enemy-occupied house from which Germans fired
on him and threw grenades in his path. After a brief fire fight, he
signaled his tank to come up and fire on the house. Eleven German soldiers
were killed and 15 surrendered. Going on alone, he disappeared around
a street corner. The fire of his carbine could be heard and in a few
minutes he reappeared driving 30 prisoners before him. Under 2d Lt.
Zussman's heroic and inspiring leadership, 18 enemy soldiers were killed
and 92 captured.
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